Making The Bible Real!

We make plans to take our children to Sunday School and church because we want them to learn about Christ. Taking children is one thing but going with them is another. Children and adults need to share in this experience so that they become familiar with the Bible, not just as a book but as stories God has for us to learn about Him. It takes work to not just read about the people and places in the Bible but to make them come alive. People long ago had the same needs as your toddler and your grade-school child and your teen have today.

My third graders studied the geography of Israel one year and as a culmination project made salt maps. Now they could feel, see and experience Israel. We had learned about the mountains, rivers, valleys, and cities of Israel. But reading about it in print was far different than making the map where they could pinpoint Mt. Hermon and the Dead Sea. Along our year’s journey, we also studied the lives of the men/women who lived there. This year we studied the book of Acts and using the Bible Project drama posters and videos they could follow the sequence of events. In the end they could share who Stephen, Peter, and Paul were. Imagine the excitement as they rehearsed the events sequentially and recalled the events that led to Paul’s transformation from persecutor to preacher.

Take time to acquaint your children with personages such as Ezekiel, Daniel, Miriam, Moses, and others. No book is too hard if you allow the children to read with you, ask questions and them let them process the information. Was Ezekiel a real man? Did he really lay on his side for over a year? Let the scripture speak for itself.

This past week Patheos had an article titled “7 Essential Questions to Ask When you Study the Bible.” These questions are good stepping off points for children as you discuss the Bible Stories. Follow their guidelines to help you with your children.